It's been a few months since Mark Zuckerberg launched Internet.org in India with the aim of bringing Internet access to those who need it. Already, concerns have been raised against it, saying it goes against the idea of the net neutrality it's supposedly promoting.
In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg defended Internet.org, saying that it was created with the goal of connecting the whole world. To do that, the initiative is partnering with governments and mobile operators in different countries to offer free access to basic Internet services in a local language. Internet.org is doing this because not everyone can afford online access, and those who don't have access are actually those who will benefit from it the most.
Now that Internet.org has a presence in 9 countries, over 800 million people have been given access to free basic online services. In India, through Reliance Communications, millions of people in Telangana, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu can now enjoy the same.
Concerns over Internet.org stem from its use of the zero-rating concept, saying the initiative actually discriminates against users and impedes net neutrality by preferring certain services.
Zuckerberg counters by reiterating that Internet.org is committed to net neutrality, adding that opening up connections to more people does not go against the concept. For the Facebook founder, universal connectivity and net neutrality can and must coexist.
"To give more people access to the Internet, it is useful to offer some service for free. If someone can't afford to pay for connectivity, it is always better to have some access than none at all," he wrote.
To prove that Internet.org is not against net neutrality, Zuckerberg explained that it does not throttle nor block any other services, taking away the possibility that fast lanes are created. The initiative is open to partnering with all mobile operators and does not stop any interested party from joining. In fact, Internet.org wants to work with as many Internet service providers as possible because this means more people will be provided with connections.
Zuckerberg also said that everyone in the world deserves online access to be given the chance to harness the opportunities the Internet has to offer. He called on everyone as well, supporters and critics alike, to work together to make sure that the opportunity to add billions around the world to those already connected to the Internet is not missed.
Photo: Maurizio Pesce | Flickr
